Football world mourns the shock passing of Bafana Bafana legend Phil 'Chippa' Masinga

The football world mourned the shock passing of Bafana Bafana legend Phil “Chippa” Masinga on Sunday.

The 49-year-old Masinga lost a long battle with cancer at a Johannesburg hospital on Sunday morning.

South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan joined the football world in remembering and mourning Masinga.

A stunned Jordaan described the likeable and popular former player’s passing as a sad day for the sport.

“We have lost a giant of South African Football‚ this is a sad day for our football‚” said Jordaan.

Masinga was admitted in Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp last month before he was transferred to a Johannesburg hospital where he was diagnosed with cancer.

Jordaan visited him with members of his executive committee last week before flying out to Dakar‚ Senegal‚ and said he didn’t look too well but didn’t expect him to ‘leave us so soon.”

“I am really gutted.

"I saw him last Sunday before I flew to Dakar and although he was not feeling well‚ he was in good spirits and I promised to visit him again sometime this week and now our hero is gone‚” said Jordaan.

“Phil was a loyal servant of the game‚ on and off the field of play.

“His goal against Congo which took us (South Africa) to our first World Cup in France in 1998‚ is still the most celebrated goal in the country to date‚” he said.

Masinga was an active member of the South African Masters and Legends Football Association and his president Buddha Mathathe was stunned after the family informed him of his passing.

“He is gone. Our legend is gone…….It is not right‚” said an emotional Mathathe on Sunday morning.

“It is such tragic loss for the family and for the entire country.

“He is no ordinary legend‚ he was an international legend.”

Masinga was born on 28 June 1969 in Klerksdorp in the North West and played among other clubs Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Jomo Cosmos‚ Leeds United‚ Saint Galliens in Switzerland‚ FC Bari and Salernitana in Italy.

Leeds United tweeted soon after the passing on of the football legend: “It is with great sadness that the club has learnt of former striker Phil Masinga’s passing. The thoughts of everyone at #LUFC are with his family and friends.”

Confederation of African Football deputy secretary general‚ Anthony Baffoe‚ took to Twitter on Sunday and posted: “We have lost another hero - Phil Masinga just passed away. Rest well Phil..May your soul rest in perfect peace."